MINDEMOYA—“We’re thrilled about hosting our High Tea Party,” Brianna Marybelle, from Gore Bay told this reporter. “We’re inviting all Manitoulin women and those in Northern Ontario in business to attend our new networking event Sunday, May 28 from 1 to 4 pm at the Mindemoya Community Hall. Christine McNaughton and I are hosting this event and our goal is to foster collaboration between women in business and to make new connections!”
Brianna’s a busy freelance social media marketer, in business since 2019. Growing up on Manitoulin, she attended post-secondary education at Laurentian University and has loved working with many Island companies in different industries. “When I began my business on Manitoulin, my first three clients came from my actively doing in-person networking. I love being able to make a difference in the community that I grew up in, and work with businesses to help them grow.”
This High Tea party will have specially made tea sandwiches, delicious desserts and, of course, tea. The community hall will be decorated, so please dress up! The afternoon will be worthwhile, to meet other like-minded women who are involved in business and, who knows, they may be able to springboard you! It’s an opportunity to chat and get to know others, and we’re making small fascinators, headpieces, for our women to wear for this event.”
For those interested in attending, go to www.manitoulinmarketing.com/steeping_success to get the full details and purchase your ticket. When you arrive, you’ll be able to enjoy homemade cookies, scones, and classic tiny sandwiches. Tea, from the Manitoulin Tea Company will be served in vintage teacups, along with Manitoulin Coffee Co.
Brianna and Christine truly value supporting local businesses as they plan this event, so the ticket price of $77/seat is being used to do just that as they have hired local women in business for the decor, baking, food, drink, event photography, and promotion. They hope to host a midsize group, not too big so that everyone can get some good time in with each other.
Many know Christine McNaughton, who’s been working in social media and digital strategy since 2012. She’s been complimented by many saying that she has an excellent and professional online presence.
A pioneer of social media on Manitoulin, Christine established a blog in 2006, “Life on Manitoulin,” an online journal of her new married life on the Island.
“I went to university to become a teacher and taught English as a Second Language since 1998. I was always interested in taking courses on learning more about social media. When I married Farmer John, I was a vegetarian, and he’s a beef farmer. We laugh a lot! When my daughter was born, I wanted to spend more time with her. The reason I started the Life on Manitoulin Facebook group, was that I wanted to support local businesses and communities all over the Island.”
These days, Christine is a digital strategy specialist, working with a boutique agency that helps organizations establish and elevate their digital and social media marketing footprints, Christine said. “Many work opportunities spring from my relationships with brands on Twitter.” For her Instagram account, she hosts Feature Friday where she writes and highlights information about a local business on the Island.
“We’ve produced three social media marketing seminars in Tehkummah, Gore Bay and Mindemoya a while ago for local businesses. Each of us presented talks on how to use social media for small businesses, and this has kept growing. The reception has been incredible, which is why we must keep offering more, and it is fun. My motto, which I have been saying for decades is that ‘A community that supports each other thrives together’.”
Some collaborations that have organically sprung out of their seminars include: a realtor and a private water testing service working together to real estate potability tests to clients, and a local lavender farmer collaborating with a gift basket company to include lavender products in the baskets.
One of my dear friends is our lovely Irene Cornish, who owned the Providence Bay Tent and Trailer Park since 1968. She’s one of Manitoulin’s most famous and loved businesswomen owning and operating 153 acres with 220 sites on it. Her repeat customers have returned year after year after year. One customer has been at the park for 50 years.
Retired last year, Irene’s busy with many things and is planning to relocate to her retirement lot in Providence Bay. When I told Irene about this festive afternoon, she sighed, “Oh, Bonnie, I’m heartbroken not to attend this event. I’m scheduled to be at an afternoon family wedding that day which I must attend.”
And our beloved Irene adds, “I love what Brianna and Christine are doing for our Ontario businesswomen. They are to be commended and I’ll be attending their next High Tea…”
These Manitoulin ladies know, communities that support each other thrive together.
